New information was added to this report.
If misery loves company, struggling Florida State football can ruin No. 5 Miami’s Saturday in an ACC showdown at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on ESPN. Keep scrolling for the latest score updates and highlights.
UM beat FSU 36-14 to snap a three-game losing streak to its rival. FSU started Brock Glenn at quarterback, but true freshman Luke Kromenhoek led the Seminoles to their first score in the second quarter after they trailed 14-0. Glann added a late touchdown pass to close out FSU’s scoring.
The Hurricanes are off to a 7-0 start for the first time in three seasons under coach Mario Cristobal. They feature a Heisman Trophy candidate in Cam Ward, the first UM quarterback in history to record seven consecutive games of 300 passing yards or more. The Hurricanes have also lived on the edge, surviving late-game dramatics over their past three games to emerge victorious.
FSU’s freefall at 1-6 this season under Mike Norvell has been documented, dissected and discussed. If there’s a sliver lining this week, the Seminoles have beaten the Hurricanes three straight years. UM’s last victory over FSU came in 2020, a 52-10 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
While the Hurricanes and Seminoles each added late touchdowns, UM was in control from the start.
The Hurricanes generated 445 yards to total offense in their victory over rival FSU. UM improved to 8-0, while FSU fell to 1-7.
FSU quarterbacks Brock Glenn (5 of 18, 54 yards) and Luke Kromenhoek (6 of 14, 61) combined on 11 of 32 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown – a 5-yard pass to Malik Benson in the closing seconds.
The Seminoles finished with 248 yards of total offense.
That should do it.
The Hurricanes relied on some trickery to push their lead to 29-7 over FSU at the 4:32 mark in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Cam Ward scored on a 7-yard touchdown reception on a throwback from tight end Elijah Arroyo. UM did not convert on its 2-point conversion attempt and leads 29-7.
Unfortunately, FSU’s offense just can’t get its act together.
While true freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek provided a needed spark when he entered the game in the second quarter in place of starter Brock Glenn, the Seminoles have unable to sustain drives and find the end zone.
The Seminoles turned the ball over on downs at the UM 45 early in the fourth quarter.
Kromenhoek has completed 6 of 14 passes for 61 yards. He’s also FSU’s leading rusher with 71 yards on 11 carries.
UM has outplayed rival FSU. However, the Hurricanes can’t shake the Seminoles, just yet.
UM leads FSU 23-7 at Hard Rock Stadium entering the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Seminoles answered with a touchdown in the second. UM added a pair of field goals in the third quarter.
The Hurricanes hold huge advantages across all the key stats – 311 to 177 in total yards, for example – but the Seminoles’ defense has made sure FSU still has a chance. Its offense, however, has followed an oft-repeated script this season, unable to move the football with any consistency.
UM quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Ward slammed his helmet in frustration on the sideline as the Hurricanes were held to their second field goal in the third quarter to create some separation.
Andres Borregales made a 42-yard field goal to push UM’s lead to 20-7 at the 6:03 mark in the third quarter.
The true freshman, who led the Seminoles to their only scoring drive in the first half after he replaced Brock Glenn, opened the second half at quarterback. However, after converting on fourth-and-3 from the FSU 42, Kromenhoek was unable to connect on a wheel route to Lawrance Toafili on fourth-and-2 from the UM 46.
UM owned the stat sheet in the first half against FSU. But the scoreboard told another story that could give FSU fans hope.
The double-digit underdog Seminoles trail 17-7 after they fell behind 14-0. UM made it a two score game with a 20-yard field goal to end the half.
UM held advantages in total yards (240-107), first downs (19-5), passing yards (131-24) and rushing yards (109-83).
UM quarterback Cam Ward, who completed 5 of his first 6 passes and led the Hurricanes to a touchdown on the game’s opening drive, was 11 of 19 for 131 yards. He was sacked three times.
FSU starting quarterback Brock Glenn was largely ineffective, though under pressure. He completed 2 of 6 passes for 17 yards. He was replaced by Luke Kromenhoek to open the second quarter. Kromenhoek completed 1 of 2 passes for 7 yards, but added 69 rushing yards to ignite FSU’s lone scoring drive.
Outside of Kromenhoek’s runs, including a 42-yarder on a fourth down sneak where he appeared to be stopped at the line, the Seminoles’ run game was ineffective. The unit had 9 yards on five carries split between Lawrance Toafili and Caziah Holmes.
Holmes got FSU on the scoreboard with a 1-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal.
FSU will receive the kickoff to open the second half.
It’s Luke Kromenhoek’s turn at quarterback for the Seminoles.
The true freshman entered on FSU’s first possession of the second quarter, replacing Brock Glenn, as the Seminoles trailed 14-0.
Kromenhoek, who made his debut against Duke a week ago Friday, provided a much needed spark.
He led the Seminoles on a 12-play, 78-yard scoring march that sliced UM’s advantage to 14-7.
Kromenhoek relied on his legs, ripping off runs of 14, 42, and 12 yards. His 42-yard gain was on fourth-and-1 from the FSU 45, where he appeared surprised by the snap on a sneak, but escaped from the scrum. It also represented the team’s longest rush of the season.
Caziah Holmes scored on a 1-yard run on fourth down.
FSU had 24 total yards on its first two possessions of the game.
The opening quarter at Hard Rock Stadium was a struggle for FSU.
The Cam Ward-directed UM offense generated 124 total yards, 11 first downs, held possession for nearly 11 minutes and led 7-0.
The Seminoles were limited to two first downs and 29 yards.
They were plagued by familiar mistakes and penalties. For example, FSU was whistled for an illegal substitution after it held the Hurricanes on third down on UM’s third possession. The Seminoles also allowed UM to move the chains on third-and-20 during the same drive that rolled over into the second quarter.
FSU quarterback Brock Glenn, under intense pressure, completed 2 of 6 passes for 17 yards.
Well, that was easy.
UM opened the showdown with a 7-play, 67-yard scoring driving that last just under three minutes (2:38). Mark Fletcher, Jr. capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Brock Glenn started at quarterback for FSU on its opening series.
The Seminoles will have the chance to set the tone defensively against the Hurricanes, who lead the country in total offense. Miami is in all-black. FSU countered with gold helmets, white tops, gold pants. This is the first time the Seminoles have used this uniform combination this season. Former UM and NFL great Ray Lewis was the honorary captain for the Hurricanes
Florida State vs. Miami will broadcast nationally on ESPN in Week 9 of the 2024 college football season. Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek will call the game from the booth at Hard Rock Stadium, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
The 2024 Seminoles had four players on the preseason All-ACC Team: offensive tackle Darius Washington, center Maurice Smith, defensive tackle Joshua Farmer and punter Alex Mastromanno. Brock Glenn became the starting QB after DJ Uiagalelei injured his finger Sept. 28.
The 2024 Hurricanes boast five preseason All-ACC players, the most of any team. They are led by quarterback Cam Ward, a Washington State transfer and the preseason ACC Player of the Year. The other selections: receiver Xavier Restrepo, defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and kicker Andres Borregales.
Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat: Miami 41, FSU 14
“The Seminoles’ best chance at winning sits with forcing Ward into dangerous throws and mistakes. The first half will feature a Ward turnover but FSU won’t be able to replicate it in the second as forcing takeaways remains an issue.”
Will Helms, College Football Network: Miami 41, FSU 9
“There’s no way to overstate how terrible Florida State has been this season. With the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff within reach, Miami can’t afford to slip up, and I don’t expect another rollercoaster of a game because Florida State’s offense isn’t capable of challenging good teams.”
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Friday:
FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is out with a broken finger suffered September 28 at SMU. Running back Roydell Williams has been out since September 28. Tackle Darius Washington and running back Kam Davis left last week’s game vs. Duke early with injuries.
Miami defensive back Damari Brown has been out with a lower-body injury since the season-opener vs. Florida.
Weather.com predicts 79 degrees with cloudy skies at kickoff in Miami Gardens. Winds are expected to blow out of the northeast at 10-15 mph. There is about a 15% chance of rain throughout the evening.
* – ACC game
*- ACC game
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